liz jones hair

Clothes are one of my greatest pleasures, but also the source of much anxiety. Faced with any social occasion, I invariably go over the top, agonising for months about what to wear. I never, if I think about this honestly, feel comfortable in what I’m wearing.
And this isn’t just because I work in fashion and am surrounded by women who look incredible in the latest must-have clothes. While I often experience extreme envy when I see a catwalk model — a craving that makes me forget my age, bank balance and shape — this lack of self-confidence stems from earlier in my life.
I grew up, the youngest of seven children, in a family where money was tight. Consequently, I wore hand-me-downs from my three elder sisters and clothes that were made by my mum: little checked pinafores and rough, hand-knitted sweaters.

Clothes dilemma: Liz Jones often worries about to wear and then goes over the top - can a psychologist help by analysing four of her chosen outfits?

So, from an early age, I craved being able to buy clothes from shops. I was painfully shy and believed I was ugly. It’s no surprise that, as a teenager, I was in thrall to fashion magazines. I soon got into debt buying expensive clothes because I had been so miserable always being the poor relation. 

 

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I realise I go over the top in my bid for perfection. When I was asked by the BBC to report live from a banquet held at Buckingham Palace in honour of President Obama, I bought a black Alexander McQueen trouser suit, new shoes and a bag. I felt I had to wear something British, and spare no expense.

Deeper issues: In her youth, Liz would cover up because she felt insecure about her body

This is me all over: I thought my commentary would be pedestrian and halting, and so I had to make up for my inadequacies somehow.
Because I also feel ugly, I never dress provocatively: I never show my legs, arms or cleavage (even on my wedding day I wore a cream tuxedo suit, not a dress).
So, I choose expensive items because I grew up poor. I dress like a man at work because I think I’m stupid. I cover up because I believe I’m repulsive. I have long understood that the way I dress is my shield, my solace, my safety net. 
But can someone else tell that just by looking at me? What’s more, can anyone help me with the issues behind my wardrobe choices?
U.S. clinical psychologist Jennifer Baumgartner, author of new book You Are What You Wear, says so. Baumgartner paid her way through university by working in a Ralph Lauren store, where she noticed how many women are confused about their identity, and act out their neuroses by spending inappropriately.
‘Often, wardrobe mishaps are simply our inner conflicts bubbling to the surface,’ she says, wisely. Baumgartner claims that by just looking at a woman she is able not only to diagnose what is wrong, but fix her psyche — in what she calls the ‘psychology of dress’.
But does her method really work? Can Jennifer not only identify my deep-seated problems just by looking at my four signature outfits, but also, more importantly, offer me help?

EVENING WEAR

Black strapless gown and clutch by Bottega Veneta, peep-toe sandals by Louboutin
JENNIFER SAYS: Why has Liz, with a knockout figure, allowed herself to be swallowed by this great sloppy satin beast? She allows only a glimpse of her inner sparkle with her metallic shoe.
The oversized outfit makes me think she is unaware of her body shape. I am waiting for Liz, like someone after a makeover, to rip off this dress to reveal a better one. 
If I had thick, lustrous hair like this, I would not hide it in a messy updo. She is also weighed down by the eye make-up on the lower lids.

Evening outfit, left: Liz wears black strapless gown and clutch by Bottega Veneta, peep-toe sandals by Louboutin. She says she chose it to hide her figure while her heavy make-up provides a mask

JENNIFER SAYS: Liz’s make-up gives all the evolutionary indicators of fertility — pink cheeks and lips, and glowing skin — but then she lets us down with a very non-seductive, plain white T-shirt.
This outfit suggests Liz is relatively conservative and the pieces don’t match, suggesting Liz may have pulled the outfit together in a rush. She should wear this skirt with a fitted black top, a black patent leather belt and stilettos.

Date outfit, left: Liz wears gold lace skirt by Suzannah, white T-shirt and sandals by Prada. Jennifer thinks the outfit could be enhanced with a sexier top but Liz says she doesn't like being sexy